‘Compromised’ Mkhwebane slated for ‘defending’ Zuma

Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, during a press briefing at the Public Protector Office, 20 October 2016, Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Nelles

Vytjie Mentor also plans to lay charges against the new public protector for allegedly lying about her.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has come under fire for allegedly defending President Jacob Zuma.

This after she laid charges against former public protector Thuli Madonsela for leaking audio of her interview with the president.

Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) Mmusi Maimane said if the president was aggrieved at Madonsela releasing the audio recording, he must not use Mkhwebane to fight his personal battle, but instead lay the charges himself.

“If the President has a problem with a leak, he must lay the charge himself not the PP.#Mkhwebane confirming why we didn’t vote for her as PP.”

Leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) Bantu Holomisa also warned Mkhwebane, who took office in November, to guard against being manipulated by the “liar” Zuma.

“Busisiwe Mkhwebane, be careful of being manipulated by Zuma who violated his Oath of Office. Ur approach has compromised ur office. How do u take instructions from a lier @NCOP, [sic]” said Holomisa.

“Remember that PP Mkhwebane herself released the transcript of Thuli’s interview with Zuma. Thuli only later released the audiotape for ENCA,” former DA leader Helen Zille added.

Former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor on Sunday lashed out at Mkhwebane for claiming she had reported Madonsela for leaking the audio recording on state capture. This after Mkhwebane said Mentor was one of the people who complained about the leaking of the audio recording on state capture.

Mentor disputed this and said she would lay criminal charges and report Mkhwebane to the General Council of the Bar for her alleged misconduct.

“I never complained to Mkhwebane about Thuli leaking any tapes. How can an advocate lie like this? I am heading to the Bar Council and she will have to pay me hugely. I will be laying charges against her as well. This is so galling!!” said Mentor on Facebook.

Meanwhile, the presidency has indicated that Zuma is taking the state capture report on judicial review.

“The President has considered and also sought legal advice on the contents of the report as well as the remedial action to be taken. The legal advice given and which advice has been accepted by the President is to take the remedial action on review.

“The legal team on brief is currently working on the review application to be served and filed within the time periods prescribed by the law. The Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000 provides that any proceedings for judicial review must be instituted without unreasonable delay and not later than 180 days from the date that the reviewable action was concluded.”